Chef Bill Mague

Cooking Fundamentals

I have been cooking since early childhood, a credit to my parents who had me cook one dinner a week beginning in 4th grade. I chose the menu and cooked the meals, including French onion soup, chicken / sausage gumbo, jambalaya, stuffed mirlitons, and buttermilk biscuits.

In 1989 – 1990 I ran the grill/kitchen at Tipitina’s music club, uptown New Orleans. A simple grill / fryer setup, i worked dozens of shows over 6 months, each with +/- 500 ppl.

In the 1990’s – early 2000’s I hosted an annual crawfish boil for friends & colleagues over 10 years. At its height, it included 125 lbs. of boiled crawfish (fresh), 5 fried turkeys, and 25 lbs of fried catfish. Beer, french bread, cold slaw, etc. complimented the spread. This event included live music, as described below.

Most recently I worked as a shift cook for a nursing home (40 beds), cooking to specific recipes, managing multiple dietary and texture requirements, and serving / cleaning.

Training & Experience

I have completed multiple culinary training classes, notably the professional approach to basics (Eberhart Wertmann / Cooks of Crocus Hill) and am adept at knife skills, prep, organization, & execution.

In 2002 – 2003 I traveled extensively in the South Pacific, China, and SE Asia. This included time in New Zealand, Australia, China, Tibet, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. In each country I took cooking classes from local chefs to understand better the ingredients and methods. These experiences gave me a broad background in multiple culinary traditions.

In my professional capacity as a banker and executive in economic & community development, I have underwritten bar/restaurants, cafés, and similar small businesses as tenants in larger mixed-use residential projects. As such I have a keen understanding of restaurant financial operations, management challenges, and brand relevance.

EXPERTISE

Menu planning

Presentation

Knife skills / Prep-skills

Methods / Sauces

Seafood / Fish

Beef / Pork / Poultry

Turain / Tofu

Communicative

Quick thinker

Team Player